Evaluation of a Sprayable Hydrogel for Surgical Adhesion Prevention in Rat and Rabbit Models

Area of Science:

• Surgical Innovation
• Biomaterials Science
• Preclinical Research

Background:

• Postoperative adhesions are a significant complication following abdominal surgery, leading to morbidity and reoperation.
• Current adhesion prevention methods have limitations, necessitating the development of novel solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of AeroVeil, a novel sprayable adhesion barrier, in preventing postoperative adhesions.
• To compare AeroVeil's performance against an established control, Seprafilm, in a preclinical setting.

Main Methods:

• Utilized established rat and rabbit models of abdominal adhesion formation.
• Animals were randomized into untreated control, Seprafilm-treated, or AeroVeil-treated groups.
• Adhesion incidence, extent, and severity were assessed by blinded surgeons at 7 or 28 days post-surgery.

Main Results:

• AeroVeil significantly reduced adhesion incidence, extent, and severity in both rat and rabbit models (p < 0.05).
• In the rat model, AeroVeil completely prevented primary adhesions in 0 of 7 animals, compared to 1 of 8 for Seprafilm.
• AeroVeil demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in total adhesion score in the rabbit model.

Conclusions:

• AeroVeil effectively reduces the incidence and severity of postoperative adhesions in preclinical models.
• The sprayable barrier shows promise as an alternative to existing adhesion prevention methods.
• Further studies in expanded animal models are warranted to support clinical translation.